Rome, Italy
G7 Youth Summit
The Y7 Summit will bring together youth delegates from all G7 member countries, the European Union, and guest countries to discuss and form policy suggestions. The Y7 Summit leads to the creation of a Y7 Communiqué that will serve as the official youth recommendations to G7 leaders in advance of their international summit.
The Y7 will take place in-person with each delegate representing Canadian youth on one of the following policy tracks: Economy, Climate, Digital, and Global Health. All delegates will also work collaboratively on negotiating recommendations for global Peacebuilding.
This year’s delegation is an accomplished group of young Canadians. They look forward to engaging with Canadian youth and other young leaders in preparation for the Y7 negotiations.
Cathy Hu, Head Delegate
Cathy, a proud Montrealer, discovered her passion for local politics as the president of her borough's youth council. Engaging in simulations at various levels—municipal, provincial, federal, and international—she found her niche in civic participation.
Her vibrant energy spills over into academia and community service. During CEGEP, she actively contributed to the student association and music club. Now a law student at McGill, Cathy takes on leadership roles, serving on the executive team for the Environmental Law Association and the board of an organization guiding schools toward socio-ecological transitions.
As a former violin student at the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, Cathy seamlessly integrates her artistic pursuits with a robust presence in politics. Actively involved in the youth wing of a political party, contributing to her Electoral District Association, and working in the office of Canada's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, she navigates various facets of public service.
In all her roles, Cathy radiates positivity and dynamism, leaving a lasting impression on those around her. Her commitment to community involvement underscores a multifaceted approach to creating positive change in her entourage.
Kathleena (Kat) Henricus, Communications Coordinator
Kathleena (Kat) Henricus (she/her/hers) is a National Scholar and researcher at Western University, located on the lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where she studies International Relations and Advanced Arts & Humanities (SASAH).
With work experience ranging from Responsible Investment to Canadian Broadcasting, Kathleena is guided by her passion for human rights, addressing the climate crisis, and making education and healthcare universally accessible. Currently, she is the Co-Director of Policy for the Young Canadians Roundtable on Healthcare and is focused on expanding children’s rights in Canadian healthcare. She is also a Regional President at the Mosaic Institute, an anti-oppression research, education, and policy group. As a first-generation university student, Kathleena is committed to ensuring that the community she is part of has a positive impact, locally and globally.
She currently chairs the Board of Directors of Western’s University Students Council and has been overseeing their complete divestment from fossil fuels. As a Y7 delegate, Kathleena hopes to leverage her political, financial, media, and research experience to represent the priorities of youth from across the country, platforming their diverse lived experiences to the world leaders this forum will address.
Bavan Pushpalingam, Engagement Coordinator
Bavan Pushpalingam is a Scarborough youth committed to engendering impactful change through policy and advocacy. He is a 2nd-year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), majoring in Public Policy and pursuing minors in Food Studies and French.
Having grown up in Scarborough and currently residing there, Bavan maintains a deep connection to his community. His passion for addressing food insecurity in Scarborough led him to serve as a Research Assistant at the Feeding City Lab, focusing on the implications of food insecurity in Scarborough. Beyond academia, he works as a Research and Policy Analyst at the Office of City Councillor Parthi Kandavel, where he actively contributes to community-driven policy changes.
A fervent advocate for grassroots community-building, Bavan is the Founder and President of the Scarborough Hub for Innovation in Public Policy, a student-led policy think tank. Through innovative research and policy advocacy, the organization addresses pressing issues facing Scarborough.
Bavan's leadership extends to being a Laidlaw Scholar at the University of Toronto, a UofMosaic Fellow at the Mosaic Institute, and an Education and Advocacy Fellow at Results Canada. Bavan will utilize his YDC delegation to advocate for all Canadian youth and engage in transformative evidence-based policy dialogue.
Terence D’Souza, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator
Terence is a systems-thinker. He actively contributes to Canadian foreign policy and democratic renewal. Working at the intersection of systems and communities, he is determined to build more peaceful and just futures. Born in a non-democratic country, his family moved to Canada when he was 10 years old, leading to a firm commitment to these ideals that have profoundly shaped his work. His impact ranges from foreign policy development and responding to fragile and conflict-affected situations to board governance and strategic planning.
He currently serves as Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister for International Security and Political Affairs at Global Affairs Canada, following a number of internships in the department (and other government departments), both at headquarters and abroad. He serves as the Chair of Advocacy on the Board of Apathy is Boring, Canada's leading youth-focused democracy organization. He has also founded and supported a number of initiatives dedicated to progress on employment and education equity, with The Dais at TMU, Taking IT Global, YouthREX, FirstWork and more. As he wraps up his studies in Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Ottawa, Terence is thrilled to represent young Canadians at the Y7 2024 summit.